6/15/2012

Mobility
Idaho ranks sixth in Safe Walks to School participation
Idaho’s commitment to mobility and safe alternative routes to school elevated the state to sixth nationally in 2011 International Walk to School participation. Only five other states surpassed Idaho’s level of participation, according to information released last week by the international organization.
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Aeronautics
Cubs descend on Johnson Creek strip
Each year, the skies over Johnson Creek airstrip in the Sawtooth Mountains are filled with small private airplanes that descend on the remote backcountry destination. The popular, grass-carpeted airstrip is nestled between the peaks overshadowing Yellow Pine.
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Accolades
ITD one of only two states to claim multiple ARTBA awards
Only two states in the country – Idaho and Maryland – returned with multiple awards from the 2012 American Road and Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation, according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
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Alternative transportation
ITD earns bronze for May in Motion
ITD earned a bronze designation for employee participation in the annual May in Motion alternative commute campaign. Sponsored by Ada County Highway District’s Commuteride, the event encourages drivers to trade their personal vehicles for carpools, vanpools, bicycles and other forms of transportation. The intent is to reduce the number of commuters commuting solo in the Treasure Valley.
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Highways
ITD Joint highway repairs shows efficiency, cooperation
Concern over “soft spots” in the center of the road on U.S. 20 in Mountain Home north of Interstate 84 recently provided the opportunity for District 3 maintenance to operate in the forward-thinking, “can-do” culture ITD’s leadership has suggested.
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Partnership
Encore (6-8-12): ITD scans will help preserve Lewiston landmark
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again -- probably because they didn't have ITD's scanning technology. ITD will do a three-dimensional scan of the historic Thompson/Miranda cabin that has been a cultural icon at the city park in preparation for its relocation and restoration.
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Accolades
Encore (6-8-12): Hunter receives national honor for service to IRP
A long-term commitment to excellence paid off for ITD’s Jerri Hunter recently. She received the Richard L. Reeves IRP Leadership Award in recognition of outstanding service. The IRP is an international registration reciprocity agreement for commercial vehicle registrations, adopted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada provinces.
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Employee fitness
Encore (6-8-12): Transformation and the road to better fitness
Chris Branstetter didn’t like what he saw, so he decided to do something about it. He embarked on a new, healthier lifestyle – spurred on by his wife and the 2012 Capital Mall fitness challenge. Here, in his own words, is his story about the road to fitness that appeared in "Health Matters," the online newsletter of the Idaho State Employee Wellness Program.
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Aeronautics
Encore (6-8-12): National Guard stages exercise at Smith Prairie airstrip
ITD's Division of Aeronautics opened the aerial gates to the Smith Prairie airstrip May 31-June 2 for tactical training by the Idaho Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB)for ground and air training.
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Highway safety
Encore (6-8-12): Idaho motorcycle fatality rate counters national trend
Idaho is one of the top five states that reduced motorcyclist deaths in 2011 with a 48 percent reduction rate, according to a study conducted by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). In contrast, the report reveals that, nationwide, no progress was made in reducing motorcyclist deaths in 2011.
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